Why You Might Want to Upgrade Your Router

While the router might be an essential gadget in your home, most of the time, we just leave it as it is set up and forget about it as long as it is working. While this may be ok in most cases, the recent trends of people spending more time at home learning, working or interacting with friends, among others, having a fast and efficient router is essential. Experts generally recommend users to upgrade their routers at least every five years. However, if you spend more time using the internet and using the latest gadgets, then you may benefit from upgrading your router regularly, probably after every 2-3 years. Here are some of the reasons you may want to upgrade your router.

Increased Speed

Technological advancements have seen an increase in internet speeds. This means you can enjoy fast downloads, fast loading of websites, among numerous benefits. If you experience a sluggish network connection or you are not getting the internet speeds you have paid for, the problem may lie in the router. Before deciding to invest in a new router, you may first want to troubleshoot by upgrading your drivers and rebooting both the router and modem. You may also want to bypass the router and plug the modem directly into your laptop or PC using an Ethernet cable. If you notice a huge difference in speed, then it is a sign the router is the culprit, and it needs replacing. You may also want to consider running speed tests at various parts of your house with the devices you use, such as a phone or laptop. This will give you a good idea of whether the problem lies in a certain spot, or with your devices. You may also want to consider making some tweaks such as adjusting your router’s antenna’s angles or repositioning it in a more open and central spot within your home. If it still does not work, it indicates that you need a router upgrade.

Take advantage of improved technology

Advancements in technology have resulted in routers that are fast and more secure. The latest routers can also take advantage of the latest technology, such as Wi-Fi 6. This technology allows devices to connect seamlessly in a crowded environment without sacrificing internet speeds.

Extend the range of your network

You may also want to consider upgrading to a new router to extend the range of your home network. You may want to consider investing in a mesh router such as Google Nest, Asus, Netgear Orbi or Nest among others for fast and reliable internet speeds in your home. While they have been around for many years, they were expensive, and their price range was beyond many users. However, their prices started dropping from last year, and now you can find starter options available from as little as $150.